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I was interested to read that only one person wished to read
transcripts which described such an intimate part of their lives. Do you
think if given another opportunity later when the experience was not as
raw the chance may have had a higher take up? I wonder if anybody has
asked to read the published article? I had a friend who used to cut his
arms. He decided not to request access to his notes as he mistrusted how...

I was interested to read that only one person wished to read
transcripts which described such an intimate part of their lives. Do you
think if given another opportunity later when the experience was not as
raw the chance may have had a higher take up? I wonder if anybody has
asked to read the published article? I had a friend who used to cut his
arms. He decided not to request access to his notes as he mistrusted how
he would have been described ie he would not have been understood and
worse it may have been offensive. (Many people are still too anxious to
read their notes where others' opinions about them are recorded ]. His
decision was realistic. When rushing him up to hospital after the
cutting went too deep he was obliged to go through a door labelled
'Poisons Unit' - it was used for all sorts of self harming including
pumping the stomache. The nurse in an aside which he could clearly hear
stated that 'We don't make people feel too comfortable as they will only
keep coming back'. It would be useful if people were given the opportunity
to add their own account to their notes. He claimed that he had the right
to do what he wanted to his own body. The scars were a kind of badge
almost like a tattoo. Although the article is hugely respectful to the
participants it may be that to read the transcripts in such a format would
be embarrassing or even a bit of a betrayal. My friend is no longer around
but he would have been respectful of the attempt to understand in such a
compassionate way.